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Varanasi: Full-Day Tour with Boat Ride & Sarnath Exploration
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 10h
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
- Selective hotel pickup
Overview
- Take a boat ride on the Ganges River and see the morning rituals on the banks
- Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu temples in India
- Explore the Banaras Hindu University and see the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum
- Learn about the silk weaving traditions of Varanasi and see the Durga Temple
- Visit Sarnath, the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon, and see the Dhamekh Stupa
Activity location
- Varanasi
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Varanasi
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Check availability
Varanasi: Full-Day Tour with Boat Ride & Sarnath Exploration
- 10h
Activity duration is 10 hours 10h - English
What's included, what's not
- Private vehicle with an English-speaking driver
What's included What's included - Hotel pickup and drop-off
What's included What's included - Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River
What's included What's included - Guided walking tour of Varanasi's old city
What's included What's included - Tour of Banaras Hindu University
What's included What's included - Visit to Durga Temple
What's included What's included - Silk weaving demonstration
What's included What's included - Exploration of Sarnath, including Dhamekh Stupa and Archaeological Museum
What's included What's included - Evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat
What's included What's included - Breakfast and Lunch
What's excluded What's excluded - Monument entrance fees
What's excluded What's excluded - Tips and Gratuities
What's excluded What's excluded
Know before you book
- Not allowed: Alcohol and drugs, Drones, Non-folding strollers, Pets
- Not suitable for: Wheelchair users
What you can expect
Explore the spiritual city of Varanasi on a full-day tour. Experience a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and explore the Sarnath Stupa.
Early Sunrise boat ride in the Ganges
Begin your day with a 5:30 AM pickup from your hotel and embark on a sunrise boat ride on the sacred Ganges River, witnessing the morning rituals along the riverside.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Next, enjoy a short walking tour of the old city's narrow alleyways and visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu temples.
Take a breakfast break, then proceed to visit Banaras Hindu University
Afterward, stop for breakfast (at your own expense) before heading to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) at 10:00 AM. Established in 1916, BHU is Asia's largest university campus. Explore the campus, visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, and see the new Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple), a replica of the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Durga Temple
Then, visit the Durga Temple, also known as Durga Kund Mandir, one of Varanasi's most famous temples. You will also explore Tulsi Manas Mandir, and the mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Sarnath Tour
At 12:30 PM, learn about Varanasi’s ancient silk weaving traditions, followed by a lunch break (at your own expense). Afterward, take a 13 km drive to Sarnath to explore Dhamekh Stupa, the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Visit the Archaeological Museum, home to artifacts dating back to the 3rd century BC (closed on Fridays). Sarnath, located near the confluence of the Ganges and Varuna rivers, is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and the Buddhist Sangha came into existence.
Ganga Aarti: Experience the Divine Ceremony in Varanasi
At 5:00 PM, head to the Ganges to view the cremation grounds, then return to Dashashwamedh Ghat for the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Your tour concludes with a return to your hotel around 8:00 PM.
Location
Activity location
LOB_ACTIVITIES LOB_ACTIVITIES - Varanasi
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Meeting/Redemption Point
PEOPLE PEOPLE - Varanasi
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India